Preferring a female financial advisor

[ohgillian]

I've been with Vanguard personal advisor services for about a decade. I had the same advisor for the first 8 years, then she was promoted and I was reassigned another female financial advisor. She is leaving that role and I've been reassigned a third time, this time to a male advisor. I hadn't realized it until now, but I prefer a female financial advisor. Is that something I can ask for? I don't think women are more (or less) qualified in the role, so it seems like something that is unreasonable to request. But OTOH, they have my money, so....shouldn't I get a say? 

I am not sure what to do. I just got the email this morning. 

Thanks. 

[dcn]

I don’t see why not!

[noodleoo]

I'll be interested to see what they say. I tried out their services, but I did not like the first financial advisor they assigned me. I asked to meet with another one, and they were weird about it, but ultimately did assign me a different person. The first one was female and the 2nd was female as well. I'm pretty sure they mentioned something specifically about making sure I wasn't asking for a new one because of gender, particularly to move from female to male (which is probably an issue due to sexism).  I was surprised I got some pushback on it because I feel like you should be comfortable with your FA, and I just didn't click with the first person.  I didn't like the 2nd person either, so I didn't end up signing up at all.  Maybe it will be different since you are an existing customer.

[Susie]

I haven't made that specific request, but I'm looking for a FA right now, and I'm drawn to a majority-female owned firm near me.

I've spent my whole adult life, personal and professional, dealing with casual sexism.  My tax accountant screwed up my self employment tax liability one year because he made the incorrect assumption that "Taxpayer" is H, and "Spouse" is me, which had a number of downstream effects.  

I just have this feeling that a woman would be less likely make certain kinds of stupid assumptions.  

[goldengirlz]

I also prefer working with women, especially for healthcare-related issues, and have no problems asking to see a female [whomever]. I’ve never gotten any pushback.

It’s not about qualifications; it’s about your comfort level. Sexism only works in one direction. Part of the reason we didn’t end up working with an FA is because I felt like he was talking down to me.

It can’t hurt to ask.